Future Observatory Research and Grants Manager

Overview

Future Observatory is a national programme for design research supporting the UK’s response to the climate crisis. Launched November 2021, the programme is coordinated by the Design Museum in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). As a £25-mil programme, Future Observatory is the largest publicly funded design research initiative in the UK.

The programme funds, commissions, and curates cutting-edge design research for broad audiences, making design research for the green transition accessible and engaging and enabling it to have a greater impact. The Research and Grants Manager will act as an administrative lead for Future Observatory’s AHRC-funded research portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in research grants management to develop their career at management level. 

Job scope

The Research and Grants Manager will support the delivery of the portfolio through an internal programme of supporting activities (such as roundtables, forums, design crits and sprints and delivery meetings) and conduct robust assessment, monitoring and evaluation. They will line manage one research coordinator and report to the Future Observatory Director. They will work with a wide range of stakeholders including members of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), university-based researchers, industry and government representatives. 

The role requires a strong communicator who is efficient and creative, and has the ability to build professional relationships with academic and industry partners. Thorough attention to detail and accuracy in work is vital and the post holder will be expected to contribute to the development and continuous improvement of procedures and processes associated with the delivery of the Future Observatory research portfolio. The ideal candidate would be someone excited to manage and sustain a museum-based research portfolio, and who will relish the opportunity to become a member of a vibrant, fast-moving and expanding programme and team.

Terms + conditions

Holidays: 25 days per annum, + Christmas eve (museum closed)

Hours: full time, 37.5  hours

Contract: fixed term, until 31 March 2025

Location: the museum is trialling a part-remote working arrangement, where staff work 60% of their role at the museum and 40% remote

Interviews: 21 April 2023

Application process

To apply please click the jobs.ac apply button (above)

Please follow the instructions set out in the how to apply section, regarding the documents and information required to apply for our roles and, that need to be uploaded to the portal.

How to apply

Applications should address the aims of the programme and person specification sections and should be structured as follows:

• A covering letter to include relevant interest, skills, and experience (max 2,000 words)
• CV
• Availability to start in role

Contacts

In case of questions related to the role please contact june@archrsolutions.co.uk 

Selection process

Applications will be assessed by a specially convened assessment panel, including members of the programme Funders Forum. An interview panel will then be drawn from members of the assessment panel. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to prepare a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation for the interview panel. Interviews will be held at the Design Museum in London, unless a virtual interview is required.

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